The Big Cheese with Talk2 Media & Events CEO Matt Pearce

The Big Cheese with Talk2 Media & Events CEO Matt Pearce

The Nibbler recently caught up with Talk2 Media & Events CEO Matt Pearce, who revealed he is scared of snakes. We’re unsure if that includes the rubber or trouser varieties.

The great thing about my job is…

The people I work with – not just my staff, but also the community that makes up business events. The willingness to help and the sharing of ideas is something that I just haven’t experienced in other industries. Going back to our team here at Talk 2 Media & Events, we are a strong and bonded group, many of us have worked together since we launched the business. Over that time, we have become friends as well as colleagues.

The challenge for the industry is…

The same as most industries – staying relevant. We look at many of our challenges and think of them as unique to business events. In truth, disruption is here to stay and we in many ways are less impacted than others. I think that we need to celebrate face to face meetings – at times it’s as though we apologise for events. It is clear that we are on a journey when it comes to understanding the true legacies or impacts that business events have, but the longer we are on the journey, the clearer the value that can be ascribed to events will grow.

My greatest achievement is…

My children, all of whom have worked in the business at some stage or another. Outside of the kids, the greatest achievement is pulling a team of talented people together. Between us, we have made what Talk2 Media & Events is today, and events such as AIME are working hard to re-create their position in the sector using ROI and satisfaction as honest measures.

The biggest thing in MICE this year will be…

Measuring the success of the events that fall under business events – whether they are incentives, meetings, expos, or conventions. Once we know the value that meetings bring, the legacy they can leave and the social impacts they create, then we will be able to evolve them even more. Tech will enhance what we do, but won’t replace what we do.

I try to relax by…

Mountain bike riding – maybe not so relaxing, but certainly distracting.

I don’t understand why…

I am so bad at golf – to the point where I just won’t play!

My favourite venue/destination is…

London. As Samuel Johnson says, “If you’re tired of London, you’re tired of life.” Great city… to visit

I’ve always wanted to travel to…

Botswana. It’s on the list for 2021.

I am scared to death of…

Snakes.

I can’t live without…

The produce of Margaret River, Coonawarra and the Barossa.

I really wish I had…

Started my own business 10 years earlier. It’s a blast!

If I could invite four people to a dinner party, they’d be…

Bored of my conversation! I would have David Attenborough (to find out where I should go before it’s too late), L. Ron Hubbard (to find out how he can create something with such apparent unshakeable faith in itself), Louis Theroux (just to see how he gets on with Hubbard), and Paul Keating (his views are always entertaining and slightly outspoken). A late-runner would be Celeste Barber (comedic and awesome for her bushfire relief efforts).

For anyone starting out in the industry, one piece of advice I’d give would be…

Learn how to network. Our industry is a people industry and we are a social lot. Networking is a skill and can be learned. Even if you don’t enjoy it, networking will help your career.

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